Religious school
A journey of the spirit, one Sunday morning a week
Kindergarten through twelfth grade, project centered and camp style, taught by people who believe Jewish learning should be joyful. One morning a week, because we know what your week looks like.
Religious school
Sunday mornings, once a week
Kindergarten through twelfth grade. That is the whole time commitment, and it is deliberate.
Our approach
Jewish education as a sacred and joyful journey
The HCRJ Religious School believes successful religious school programming invites each student on a journey of the spirit that includes learning, self exploration, and the establishment of life long relationships. Jewish education here is a joyful endeavour, where students, teachers and parents work together to build bonds with each other, with the synagogue community, and with God, rooted in shared faith, culture and heritage.
We are a vibrant, inclusive community where students, families and teachers come together to explore what it means to live a meaningful Jewish life in today’s world. Our program is rooted in Torah, guided by Jewish values, and inspired by the rhythms of worship and tradition.
At every stage the goal is the same: to make Jewish learning meaningful, personal and joyful, and to cultivate compassionate, curious, spiritually grounded people who will carry the light of Judaism forward with pride and purpose.
What we are aiming at
We strive to
Not compliance, and not recitation. The goal is a student who wants to come back next Sunday.
Among students, teachers, families, and the wider synagogue community, so the friendships outlast confirmation.
To faith, to culture, to heritage, and to Israel and the global Jewish community.
How the year works
Project centered, camp style, in four to five week units
Our innovative curriculum is designed to engage students of all ages. Rather than sitting through a syllabus, students rotate through project centered units, and those classroom experiences become the foundation for a love of Jewish learning and a lifelong connection to synagogue life.
Cooking
CookingJewish food as a way into Jewish history, holidays and family practice, made with their own hands.
Art
ArtMaking things, which turns out to be one of the better ways to think about heritage and identity.
Identity
Jewish identityA rotating set of topics on what it means to be Jewish, asked as a real question rather than answered at them.
Israel
Cultural exploration and IsraelConnection to Israel and to the global Jewish community, explored through culture rather than only through headlines.
A modern approach for modern families
We believe Jewish learning works best when it is in sync with the realities of modern life. Families are highly overextended during the week, so the HCRJ religious school is committed to a program that meets on Sunday morning only. Deep, meaningful learning, without adding weekday stress.
Hebrew, values and fun
At every stage we provide boundless opportunities to master Hebrew decoding, engaging lessons on Jewish values and traditions, and content that is intellectually stimulating, personal, and genuinely fun.
Grade by grade
What each year builds toward
Every grade works through the year on Jewish identity and a deepening connection to Israel, then shares a presentation reflecting that journey. Through music, storytelling, reflection and ritual, students are encouraged to ask questions, embrace their heritage, and take pride in being part of the Jewish people.
One of our most cherished ceremonies. Kindergarten students receive a miniature Torah scroll and a special written blessing from their parents, lovingly inscribed on a provided card. We celebrate the beauty of Jewish learning and tradition.
In Judaism we are taught that educating the next generation rests with all of us, as a community, as families, and as individuals. This program creates opportunities for parents, grandparents and great grandparents to take an active part in the Jewish educational journey.
Just as we celebrate a person on their birthday, certain holidays mark the beginnings of things that matter to the Jewish people: the Jewish new year (Rosh Hashanah), the new year for trees (Tu BiShvat), and the founding of the State of Israel (Yom HaAtzmaut).
A celebration of the students’ dedication in completing their study of letters and sounds. Jewish education begins at consecration, but receiving a siddur marks the transition into reading and understanding prayers, which is a core part of Jewish spiritual life.
Students explore three of the six points of the Magen David and share what they found, relating each to Jewish values and to connections with the land of Israel.
Fifth graders continue the journey through the other three points, and how each reflects personal and collective identity, exploring peoplehood, Torah, and the centrality of Israel.
A powerful and meaningful study of the Holocaust and the birth of the modern State of Israel, reflecting on resilience, memory and hope. Their presentations and poems honor the strength of our people and our continued commitment to justice and peace.
As they prepare to take on new responsibilities in Jewish life, seventh graders build projects reflecting their passions, their values, and their commitment to tikkun olam, repairing the world, then share how they see themselves stepping into Jewish adulthood.
Special programs
The days students remember
Alongside the curriculum, the year is punctuated by programs the whole school takes part in.
Autumn
Challah bakeFlour to the elbows, and a braid that goes home for Shabbat.
Sukkot
Sukkot pot luckEating together in the sukkah, which is most of the point of a sukkah.
All year
Mitzvah DayHands on social action, so tikkun olam is something students do rather than a phrase they learn.
Winter
Chanukah programCandles, latkes and a room full of noise.
Spring
Purim programCostumes, groggers, and the one service a year where shouting is encouraged.
Registration
How to enroll your child
Enrollment runs through ShulCloud, our member portal, alongside your account and payments.
Be a member of HCRJ
Enrolling children in the religious school is one of the things HCRJ membership provides. If you are not yet a member, start there. It is a short conversation rather than a hurdle, and the discussion about cost is a private and flexible one.
Log in to ShulCloud
Go to the member portal, scroll down to the Religious School section, and click Start School Enrollment. Everything you need is on that one screen.
Come to the first Sunday
Meet the teachers, find the classroom, and let your child find their people. Betti is there all morning and is happy to answer anything.
Questions about registration?
Call the temple office at 713 782 4162, or write to Betti Buck, our Director of Education, at betti@hcrj.org. If you are not a member yet, ask about that in the same conversation.
Who leads it
Meet our Director of Education
Betti Buck
Director of Education
Betti has been the Religious School Director at HCRJ since August of 2021. Originally from Israel, and with an extensive background in education and Jewish learning, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the program. Under her guidance our students learn in an innovative, dynamic, hands on environment.
Her goal is to maximise students’ experience of Jewish learning by creating a nurturing, engaging and inviting environment. Betti is a proud mother of two children, Talor, who is married to Bar, and Shira.
Email betti@hcrj.orgSee for yourself
Photographs and opening day video
Photos
Religious school photographsClassrooms, projects, ceremonies and the general controlled chaos of a Sunday morning.
See the photos2023
Opening day, 2023The first Sunday of the school year, filmed as it happened.
Watch on YouTube2022
Opening day, 2022From the archive, one year earlier.
Watch on YouTubeOne morning a week, and a lifetime of connection.
Registration for the coming school year runs through ShulCloud. If you have questions first, Betti and the office would both rather you asked than guessed.